Method and apparatus for controlling and monitoring temperature differences within a cavitation chamber

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for forming a temperature difference between two regions within a cavitation chamber is provided. The cavitation chamber is partially filled with cavitation fluid, thereby forming a cavitation fluid free surface which divides the chamber into a first region located above the cavitation fluid free surface and a second region located below the cavitation fluid free surface. The region above the cavitation fluid free surface is heated in order to form the desired temperature difference, heat being provided by a resistive heater or other means. In addition to heating the region above the cavitation fluid free surface, the region below the cavitation fluid free surface can be cooled, for example utilizing a refrigerated container, refrigeration coils, a thermoelectric cooler, or other means. A temperature monitor can be thermally coupled to the first region, the second region, or both.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to cavitation systems and, moreparticularly, to a cavitation chamber which includes a free cavitationfluid surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sonoluminescence is a well-known phenomena discovered in the 1930's inwhich light is generated when a liquid is cavitated. Although a varietyof techniques for cavitating the liquid are known (e.g., sparkdischarge, laser pulse, flowing the liquid through a Venturi tube), oneof the most common techniques is through the application of highintensity sound waves.

In essence, the cavitation process consists of three stages; bubbleformation, growth and subsequent collapse. The bubble or bubblescavitated during this process absorb the applied energy, for examplesound energy, and then release the energy in the form of light emissionduring an extremely brief period of time. The intensity of the generatedlight depends on a variety of factors including the physical propertiesof the liquid (e.g., density, surface tension, vapor pressure, chemicalstructure, temperature, hydrostatic pressure, etc.) and the appliedenergy (e.g., sound wave amplitude, sound wave frequency, etc.).

Although it is generally recognized that during the collapse of acavitating bubble extremely high temperature plasmas are developed,leading to the observed sonoluminescence effect, many aspects of thephenomena have not yet been characterized. As such, the phenomena is atthe heart of a considerable amount of research as scientists attempt tofurther characterize the phenomena (e.g., effects of pressure on thecavitating medium) as well as its many applications (e.g.,sonochemistry, chemical detoxification, ultrasonic cleaning, etc.).

U.S. Pat. No. 4,333,796 discloses a cavitation chamber that is generallycylindrical although the inventors note that other shapes, such asspherical, can also be used. It is further disclosed that the chamber iscomprised of a refractory metal such as tungsten, titanium, molybdenum,rhenium or some alloy thereof and the cavitation medium is a liquidmetal such as lithium or an alloy thereof. The chamber is heated to atemperature greater than the melting temperature of the selectedcavitation medium. The cavitation medium within the chamber does notcompletely fill the chamber, thus leaving a vapor-liquid interfacewithin the chamber. The ambient pressure within the chamber is thehydrostatic pressure plus the gas pressure maintained above thevapor-liquid interface and the vapor pressure of the medium itself. Inat least one disclosed embodiment, the desired gas pressure is obtainedby coupling the chamber to an external source of deuterium. Projectingthrough both the outer housing and the cavitation chamber walls are anumber of acoustic horns, each of the acoustic horns being coupled to atransducer which supplies the mechanical energy to the associated horn.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,563,341, a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No.4,333,796, discloses a slightly modified, cylindrical cavitationchamber. The chamber is surrounded by an external heating coil whichallows the cavitation liquid, e.g., aluminum, within the chamber to bemaintained at the desired operating temperature. The system is degassedprior to operation by applying a vacuum through a duct running throughthe cover of the chamber. During operation, a vapor-liquid interface ismaintained within the chamber. Argon gas is admitted to the chamberthrough the duct in the cover of the chamber, thus allowing theoperating pressure to be controlled.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,659,173 discloses a sonoluminescence system that uses atransparent spherical flask fabricated from Pyrex®, Kontes®, quartz orother suitable glass and ranging in size from 10 milliliters to 5liters. The inventors disclose that preferably the liquid within theflask is degassed and the flask is sealed prior to operation. In onedisclosed embodiment, the cavitation chamber is surrounded by atemperature control system, thus allowing the liquid within the chamberto be cooled to a temperature of 1° C. Techniques are disclosed tocontrol the static pressure in the liquid, for example coupling thechamber to a piston or latex balloon. Bubbles are introduced into thecavitation fluid using a variety of techniques including draggingbubbles into the fluid, for example with a probe, and localized boiling.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,858,104 discloses a shock wave chamber partially filledwith a liquid. The remaining portion of the chamber is filled with gaswhich can be pressurized by a connected pressure source. Acoustictransducers mounted in the sidewalls of the chamber are used to positionan object within the chamber while another transducer delivers acompressional acoustic shock wave into the liquid. A flexible membraneseparating the liquid from the gas reflects the compressional shock waveas a dilatation wave focused on the location of the object about which abubble is formed.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,968,323 discloses a cavitation chamber filled with a lowcompressibility liquid such as a liquid metal. A sealed fluid reservoiris connected to the bottom of the cavitation chamber by a pipe. Both thechamber and the reservoir are contained within a temperature controlledcontainer. By pressurizing or evacuating the reservoir, fluid can beforced into or withdrawn from the cavitation chamber. Fluid flow into orout of the chamber is aided by a vacuum pump and a pressurized gassource coupled to the top of the cavitation chamber. The system includestwo material delivery systems for introducing materials or mixtures ofmaterials into the chamber. One of the delivery systems is coupled tothe bottom of the chamber and is intended for use with materials of alower density than that of the cavitation liquid, thus causing thematerial to float upwards. The second delivery system is coupled to thetop of the chamber and is intended for use with materials of a higherdensity than that of the cavitation liquid, thus causing the material tosink once introduced into the chamber.

PCT Application No. US02/16761 discloses a nuclear fusion reactionchamber which is partially filled with the desired cavitation fluid,such as deuterated acetone. Within the chamber are upper and lowermembers, preferably anchored to the chamber, that define a resonantcavity. In at least one disclosed embodiment, the chamber andupper/lower members are all fabricated from glass. The chamber volumeabove the cavitation fluid is evacuated to approximately the vaporpressure of the cavitation fluid. In a preferred embodiment, arefrigeration device maintains the reaction chamber at a sub-ambienttemperature. In at least one disclosed embodiment, acoustic waves areused to pretension the liquid. After the desired state of tension isobtained, a cavitation initiation source, such as a neutron source,nucleates at least one bubble within the liquid, the bubble having aradius greater than the critical bubble radius. The nucleated bubblesare then imploded, the temperature generated by the implosion beingsufficient to induce a nuclear fusion reaction.

In an article entitled Ambient Pressure Effect on Single-BubbleSonoluminescence by Dan et al. published in vol. 83, no. 9 of PhysicalReview Letters, the authors used a piezoelectric transducer to drivecavitation at the fundamental frequency of a glass cavitation chamber.This apparatus was used to study the effects of ambient pressure onbubble dynamics and single bubble sonoluminescence.

A variety of cavitation systems have been designed, many of whichutilize partially filled cavitation chambers. As a result of the freeliquid interface, it is often difficult to achieve the desired pressurewithin the cavitation fluid, especially if the cavitation fluid has ahigh vapor pressure. The present invention overcomes this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for forming atemperature difference between two regions within a cavitation chamber.The cavitation chamber is partially filled with cavitation fluid,thereby forming a cavitation fluid free surface which divides thechamber into a first region located above the cavitation fluid freesurface and a second region located below the cavitation fluid freesurface. The region above the cavitation fluid free surface is heated inorder to form the desired temperature difference between the tworegions, heat being provided by a resistive heater or other means. In atleast one embodiment of the invention, the temperature differencebetween the two regions is at least 10° C. A temperature monitor such asa thermocouple can be thermally coupled to the first region, thusproviding a means of monitoring the temperature within the region.Preferably another temperature monitor (e.g., a thermocouple) isthermally coupled to the second region, both to provide a means ofmonitoring the temperature of the cavitation fluid (i.e., the secondregion) and to provide an accurate assessment of the temperaturedifference between the two regions.

In another aspect of the invention, in addition to heating the regionabove the cavitation fluid free surface, the region below the cavitationfluid free surface is cooled. Cooling can be provided by athermoelectric cooler, refrigeration coils, a refrigerated chamber, orother means.

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the presentinvention may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of thespecification and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a conceptual illustration of the principal elements of acavitation system utilizing the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cylindrical cavitation chamberwith end caps;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a cylindrical cavitation chamberwithout end caps;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a cavitation chamberwall which illustrates a thermal isolation assembly;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the portion of the cavitation chamber wallshown in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a spherical cavitation chamber.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a conceptual illustration of a cavitation system 100. System100 includes a cavitation chamber 101 which, during operation, containsa suitable cavitation fluid 103. As illustrated, chamber 101 is notcompletely full of cavitation fluid 103, thereby creating a free surface105.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, chamber 101 is acylindrical chamber. It should be appreciated, however, that chamber 101can utilize other configurations which are typically selected toaccommodate a specific cavitation process and its corresponding processparameters (e.g., cavitation fluid, pressure, temperature, reactants,etc.). Examples of other configurations include spherical chambers,hourglass-shaped chambers, conical chambers, cubical chambers,rectangular chambers, irregularly-shaped chambers, etc. An example of acylindrical cavitation chamber is provided in co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/038,344, filed Jan. 18, 2005, entitled FluidRotation System for a Cavitation Chamber, the entire disclosure of whichis incorporated herein for any and all purposes. One method offabricating a spherical chamber is described in detail in co-pendingU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/925,070, filed Aug. 23, 2004,entitled Method of Fabricating a Spherical Cavitation Chamber, theentire disclosure of which is incorporated herein for any and allpurposes. Examples of hourglass-shaped chambers are provided inco-pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/140,175, filed May 27,2005, entitled Hourglass-Shaped Cavitation Chamber, and 11/149,791,filed Jun. 9, 2005, entitled Hourglass-Shaped Cavitation Chamber withSpherical Lobes, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated hereinfor any and all purposes.

Chamber 101 can be fabricated from any of a variety of materials,depending primarily upon the desired operating pressure and temperatureof the chamber and system. In order to simplify viewing of thesonoluminescence phenomena, chamber 101 can be fabricated from arelatively fragile and transparent material such as glass, borosilicateglass, or quartz glass (e.g., Pyrex®). Alternately chamber 101 can befabricated from a more robust material (e.g., 17-4 precipitationhardened stainless steel) and one which is preferably machinable, thussimplifying fabrication. Preferably the selected chamber material isrelatively corrosion resistant to the intended cavitation fluid, thusallowing the chamber to be used repeatedly.

The selected dimensions of chamber 101 depend primarily on the intendeduse of the chamber, although the cost of the cavitation fluid, chamberfabrication issues, operating temperature and cavitation drivercapabilities also influence the preferred dimensions of the chamber fora specific process. In general, small chambers are preferred forsituations in which it is desirable to limit the amount of thecavitation medium or in which driver input energy is limited while largechambers (e.g., 10 inches or greater) are preferred as a means ofsimplifying experimental set-up and event observation or when highenergy reactions are being driven within the chamber. Thick chamberwalls are preferred in order to accommodate high pressures.

A degassing system 107 is coupled to chamber 101. As described in theprior art, in order to achieve high intensity cavity implosions withinthe cavitation chamber, the cavitation medium must first be adequatelydegassed. The present invention is not limited to a particular degassingtechnique, and the techniques described below are for illustrativepurposes only.

Degassing is preferably performed with a vacuum pump and may or may notinclude other degassing techniques such as low level cavitation, neutronbombardment, etc. Preferably the cavitation medium is degassed withincavitation chamber 101. Alternately the cavitation medium can bedegassed prior to filling chamber 101. Alternately the cavitation mediumcan be degassed initially outside of chamber 101 and then again withinchamber 101.

A cavitation medium filling system 109 is coupled to chamber 101.Filling system 109 may be comprised of a simple fill tube, a separatefluid reservoir, or other filling means. Although not required, system109 may include a circulatory system, such as that described inco-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/001,720, filed Dec. 1,2004, entitled Cavitation Fluid Circulatory System for a CavitationChamber, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein for any and allpurposes. Other components that may or may not be coupled to thecavitation medium filling system include bubble traps, cavitation fluidfilters, and heat exchange systems. Further descriptions of some ofthese variations are provided in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/961,353, filed Oct. 7, 2004, entitled Heat Exchange System for aCavitation Chamber, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein forany and all purposes.

One or more drivers 111 are coupled to chamber 101, driver(s) 111 beingused to drive the desired cavitation process within chamber 101. Clearlythe invention is not limited to a specific number, type, mountingtechnique or mounting location for the driver(s). Examples of suitabledrivers are given in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.10/931,918, filed Sep. 1, 2004, entitled Acoustic Driver Assembly for aSpherical Cavitation Chamber; 11/123,388, filed May 5, 2005, entitledAcoustic Driver Assembly With Recessed Head Mass Contact Surface;11/123,381, filed May 6, 2005, entitled Acoustic Driver Assembly WithRestricted Contact Area; and 11/068,080, filed Feb. 28, 2005, entitledHydraulic Actuated Cavitation Chamber, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein in their entirety for any and all purposes.

In order to achieve high energy density (e.g., temperature) cavitationinduced implosions, it is critical that cavitation fluid 103 besufficiently degassed. Without sufficient degassing, gas within thecavitation fluid will impede the cavitation process by decreasing therate of collapse of the cavitating bubbles (i.e., cushioning).Accordingly, in addition to evacuation, various techniques such as lowenergy cavitation and neutron bombardment can be used during thedegassing process to further reduce the amount of gas trapped within thecavitation fluid. It will be understood that the term gas, as usedherein, refers to any of a variety of gases that are trapped (i.e.,dissolved) within the cavitation fluid, these gases typically reflectingthe gases contained within air (e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, etc.). Incontrast, vapor only refers to molecules of the cavitation fluid thatare in the gaseous phase.

In addition to properly conditioning the cavitation fluid throughdegassing, the inventor has found that it is advantageous to create acondition in which volume 113 is at a higher temperature than cavitationliquid 103. As a result of this temperature difference, the vaporpressure above the liquid is greater than the vapor pressure of theliquid, thus suppressing boiling of the cavitation liquid. This, inturn, leads to higher energy density cavity implosions and the abilityto successively cavitate larger cavities. Although the system willattempt to reach equilibrium through a vaporization/condensationprocess, by continually heating volume 113 and/or continually coolingcavitation liquid 103, this non-equilibrium state can be maintainedindefinitely.

In order to obtain the desired temperature difference between volume 113and cavitation liquid 103, preferably a heat source 115 is thermallycoupled to the upper portion of chamber 101 such that it preferentiallyheats volume 113 above interface 105. The inventor has found thatalthough the method of heating volume 113 is relatively unimportant, itis desirable to use a technique that is both energy efficient and doesnot unnecessarily heat cavitation fluid 103. More importantly, thetechnique used to mount heat source 115 should be selected to minimizethe damping of the acoustic energy coupled into the chamber fromcavitation driver(s) 111.

Although any of a variety of heat sources can be used for source 115(e.g., hot air, resistive heaters, etc.), preferably heat source 115 iscomprised of one or more resistive heaters mounted in close proximity tothe exterior surface of volume 113 of chamber 101. As this approach doesnot require that source 115 be mechanically coupled to chamber 101, itdoes not dampen the acoustic energy from driver(s) 111. Alternately,source 115 (e.g., one or more resistive heaters) can be bonded to theexterior surface of chamber 101 using a thermally conductiveadhesive/epoxy. This approach is not preferred, however, as it willdampen the acoustic energy from the driver(s). Heat source 115 can alsobe placed within volume 113, however this approach is also not preferredas it requires interconnects passing through the chamber wall and theheater must be able to tolerate the environment within the chamber.

As one aspect of the invention is creating a temperature differencebetween volume 113 and fluid 103, preferably in addition to heatingsource 115, a cooling source 117 is thermally coupled to cavitationfluid 103. Any of a variety of coolers can be used for source 117, suchas thermoelectric coolers (i.e., TECs), refrigeration coils,refrigerated chambers, directed cold air sources, etc. Cooling source117 can either be in direct contact with fluid 103, or indirect contactwith fluid 103 (e.g., through a wall of chamber 101). Indirect contactis preferred as it avoids interconnects passing through chamber walls aswell as potential cavitation fluid contamination and cavitationdisruption.

There are a number of benefits of utilizing cooling source 117 inconjunction with heat source 115. First, the use of both a heat sourceand a cooling source simplifies the system's ability to maintain thenon-equilibrium state in which the vapor pressure above surface 105 isgreater than that of cavitation liquid 103. Second, cooling source 117allows cavitation fluid 103 to be maintained at a temperature less thanthe ambient temperature, leading to more rapid vapor condensation, andthus more intense cavity implosions during the cavitation process.Third, by actively heating region 113 with heater 115 and activelycooling fluid 103 with cooler 117, the temperatures of the two regions(i.e., 113 and 103) as well as the temperature difference between thetwo regions can be accurately maintained at the desired levels. This isan extremely beneficial aspect of the invention once particularoperating temperatures and desired temperature differences aredetermined. For example, the inventor has determined that for acavitation fluid comprised of deuterated acetone, preferably duringcavitation the temperature of the fluid is maintained at approximately0° C. while the temperature of region 113 is maintained at a temperatureof at least 10° C. higher, and preferably 20° C. higher, than that ofthe fluid.

Given the sensitivity of the cavitation process to both cavitation fluidtemperature and the temperature difference between the cavitation fluidand the region above the fluid's free surface, and given the sensitivityof some cavitation chamber materials (e.g., glass) to temperaturedifferences, it is important to monitor the temperature of fluid 103 andregion 113 in order to achieve the desired temperatures withoutoverstressing the chamber through excessive temperature variations.Accordingly in the preferred embodiment of the invention, a temperaturemonitor 119 is thermally coupled to region 113 and a second temperaturemonitor 121 is thermally coupled to cavitation fluid 103. Preferablymonitors 119 and 121 are comprised of thermocouples or thermistors andare thermally coupled to the exterior surface of chamber 101, adjacentto the regions of interest. This approach provides only an indirectmeasure of the temperatures of interest as the temperature monitors arenot in direct contact with either region 113 or fluid 103. Indirectcontact through the chamber walls is preferred, however, over directcontact with the fluid of interest (i.e., vapor within region 113 orfluid 103) as it avoids issues such as chamber feed-throughs for themonitors, potential cavitation fluid contamination and possiblecavitation disruption.

Although FIG. 1 and the accompanying description provides sufficientinformation to enable application of the invention, a few preferredembodiments are provided below to illustrate some of the possible designvariations for the chamber, heater, cooler, and temperature monitors. Asthe invention is not limited to a specific cavitation filling and/orcirculatory system, nor is it limited to a specific degassing system,these aspects of each cavitation system are not shown in the followingfigures, thereby simplifying the figures. Similarly, as the invention isnot limited to a specific cavitation driver(s), only an exemplary driveris shown in each figure. Lastly it will be appreciated that heater 115or the combination of heater 115 and cooler 117 can be used withouttemperature monitors 119 and/or 121, and conversely, temperaturemonitors 119 and/or 121 can be used without heater 115, cooler 117 orthe combination of heater 115 and cooler 117.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment 200 comprised of acylinder 201 and a pair of end caps 203/205. In one configuration ofthis embodiment, end caps 203/205 are made of a metal (e.g., aluminum)while cylinder 201 is made of a glass. The use of a glass forcylindrical chamber section 201 allows easy visual monitoring of thecavitation occurring within the chamber during operation of thecavitation system. A pair of heaters (e.g., resistive heater elements)207 are mounted within close proximity to the outside surface ofcylinder 201, adjacent to region 209 and above cavitation fluid freesurface 211. It will be appreciated that other heater mounting methodscan be used as previously noted, for example attaching the heater to, orwithin, upper end cap 203. As previously noted, preferably in additionto heating the region above the cavitation fluid free surface 211, thechamber includes means for actively cooling cavitation fluid 213.Although a cooler can be attached to, or mounted within, lower end cap205, preferably cavitation chamber 200 is mounted within a refrigeratedhousing 215.

In order to monitor the temperature of region 209, preferably atemperature monitor (e.g., thermocouple or thermistor) 217 is thermallycoupled to the upper portion of chamber section 201, immediatelyadjacent to region 209. Similarly, in order to monitor the temperatureof cavitation fluid 213, preferably a temperature monitor (e.g.,thermocouple or thermistor) 219 is thermally coupled to the lowerportion of chamber section 201, immediately adjacent to fluid 213. Notethat temperature monitors 217/219, or additional monitors, can also bemounted to, or within, end caps 203/205. In this embodiment, driver 221is comprised of a ring of piezoelectric material, preferably bonded tochamber 200 with an epoxy or other adhesive.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a cylindrical chamber 300. Chamber 300 maybe comprised of a single piece 301, as shown, or multiple pieces (e.g.,cylindrical section and end caps). Cylinder 301 can be comprised ofeither a fragile material (e.g., glass) or a more robust material (e.g.,stainless steel). Materials such as glass have the benefit of allowingthe cavitation process to be easily observed without including a portwithin the chamber. The disadvantage of a fragile material is that it ismore likely to break, for example due to handling, temperaturedifferences, or even the cavitation process itself. A material that isnot very thermally conductive is preferred as it helps to achieve thedesired temperature difference between region 303, above liquid-vaporinterface 305, and cavitation fluid 307.

In this embodiment one or more heaters 309 surround upper region 303.Preferably heater(s) 309 is a resistive heater. As previously noted,preferably in addition to heating the region above the cavitation fluidfree surface 305, the chamber includes means for actively cooling thecavitation fluid itself. In this embodiment a cooling tube 311 is coiledaround the lower section of chamber 301, cooling tube 311 coupled to amechanical refrigeration system (not shown).

In order to monitor the temperature of region 303, preferably at leastone temperature monitor (e.g., thermocouple) 313 is thermally coupled tothe upper portion of chamber 301, immediately adjacent to region 303.Additionally, preferably at least one temperature monitor (e.g.,thermocouple) 315 is thermally coupled to the lower portion of chamber301, thus providing a means of monitoring the temperature of cavitationfluid 307.

In order to improve the efficiency of the heating system, and thecooling system if used, it is desirable to bring the respectiveheaters/coolers as well as the temperature monitors into close proximitywith the region of interest. It is also more efficient to thermallyisolate the heaters, and coolers if used, from the chamber structure.One technique for accomplishing these goals is illustrated in FIGS. 4and 5, this technique applicable to a heater for the region above thecavitation fluid interface, a cooler for the cavitation fluid, or atemperature monitor for use with either.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a chamber wall 401while FIG. 5 provides an external chamber view of the same chamber wallportion. Device 403 represents either a heater (e.g., resistive heater,etc.), a cooler (e.g., TEC cooler, etc.) or a temperature monitor (e.g.,thermocouple, etc.). A plug 405, preferably comprised of a thermallyconductive material, provides the mounting location for device 403.Although device 403 can simply be mounted to the external surface ofplug 405, preferably device 403 is mounted to a hollowed out portion ofplug 405 as shown, thus minimizing the thickness of wall section 407which separates device 403 from the inside of the cavitation chamber.Preferably plug 405 is mounted within a thermally non-conductive member409 which is, in turn, mounted within chamber wall 401. If chamber wall401 is comprised of a thermally non-conductive material, plug 405 can bemounted directly within chamber wall 401.

As previously described, the present invention is not limited to aparticular cavitation chamber configuration, nor is it limited tospecific heaters and/or coolers and/or temperature monitors. Forexample, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a spherical chamber 601filled with cavitation fluid 603. A conduit 605 passes through thechamber wall and provides access to the inside of chamber 601. Conduit605 is typically used during chamber filling, degassing, etc. In thisembodiment, the cavitation fluid free surface 607 is within conduit 605as shown. One or more heaters 609 heat the vapor within conduit 605.Preferably a temperature monitor 611 is attached to conduit 605 as well.Although not required, in this embodiment the lower portion of chamber601 is wrapped with cooling coils 613 which are coupled to a mechanicalrefrigeration system (not shown). The temperature of the chamber ismonitored with one or more temperature monitors 615. An acoustic driver217 is shown coupled to chamber 601.

As will be understood by those familiar with the art, the presentinvention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing fromthe spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, thedisclosures and descriptions herein are intended to be illustrative, butnot limiting, of the scope of the invention which is set forth in thefollowing claims.

1. A cavitation system comprising: a cavitation chamber; means forheating a first region of said cavitation chamber to a firsttemperature, wherein during operation of said cavitation system saidfirst region is located above a cavitation fluid free surface, andwherein said first temperature is greater than a second temperaturecorresponding to the temperature of a cavitation fluid contained withinsaid cavitation chamber during operation of said cavitation system; andat least one cavitation driver coupled to said cavitation chamber. 2.The cavitation system of claim 1, wherein said heating means is mountedin proximity to a portion of an exterior surface of said cavitationchamber, wherein said portion of said exterior surface is adjacent tosaid first region.
 3. The cavitation system of claim 1, wherein saidheating means is bonded to a portion of an exterior surface of saidcavitation chamber, wherein said portion of said exterior surface isadjacent to said first region.
 4. The cavitation system of claim 1,wherein said heating means is mounted within a portion of a wall of saidcavitation chamber, wherein said portion of said wall is adjacent tosaid first region.
 5. The cavitation system of claim 1, wherein saidheating means is comprised of at least one resistive heater.
 6. Thecavitation system of claim 1, wherein said first temperature is at least10° C. higher than said second temperature.
 7. The cavitation system ofclaim 1, further comprising means for cooling said cavitation fluidcontained within said cavitation chamber during operation of saidcavitation system to said second temperature.
 8. The cavitation systemof claim 7, wherein said cooling means is mounted in proximity to aportion of an exterior surface of said cavitation chamber, wherein saidportion of said exterior surface is adjacent to a second region of saidcavitation chamber containing said cavitation fluid during operation ofsaid cavitation system and located below said cavitation fluid freesurface.
 9. The cavitation system of claim 7, wherein said cooling meansis bonded to a portion of an exterior surface of said cavitationchamber, wherein said portion of said exterior surface is adjacent to asecond region of said cavitation chamber containing said cavitationfluid during operation of said cavitation system and located below saidcavitation fluid free surface.
 10. The cavitation system of claim 7,wherein said cooling means is mounted within a portion of a wall of saidcavitation chamber, wherein said portion of said wall is adjacent to asecond region of said cavitation chamber containing said cavitationfluid during operation of said cavitation system and located below saidcavitation fluid free surface.
 11. The cavitation system of claim 7,wherein said cooling means is comprised of at least one thermoelectriccooler.
 12. The cavitation system of claim 7, wherein said cooling meansis comprised of a refrigeration coil.
 13. The cavitation system of claim7, wherein said cooling means is comprised of a refrigerated container,and wherein said cavitation chamber is housed within said refrigeratedcontainer.
 14. The cavitation system of claim 1, further comprising atleast one temperature monitor thermally coupled to a portion of anexterior surface of said cavitation chamber, wherein said portion ofsaid exterior surface is adjacent to said first region.
 15. Thecavitation system of claim 14, wherein said at least one temperaturemonitor is comprised of a thermocouple.
 16. The cavitation system ofclaim 14, wherein said at least one temperature monitor is comprised ofa thermistor.
 17. The cavitation system of claim 14, wherein said atleast one temperature monitor is mounted within said portion of saidexterior surface of said cavitation chamber.
 18. The cavitation systemof claim 1, further comprising at least one temperature monitorthermally coupled to a portion of an exterior surface of said cavitationchamber, wherein said portion of said exterior surface is adjacent to asecond region of said cavitation chamber containing said cavitationfluid during operation of said cavitation system and located below saidcavitation fluid free surface.
 19. The cavitation system of claim 18,wherein said at least one temperature monitor is comprised of athermocouple.
 20. The cavitation system of claim 18, wherein said atleast one temperature monitor is comprised of a thermistor.
 21. Thecavitation system of claim 18, wherein said at least one temperaturemonitor is mounted within said portion of said exterior surface of saidcavitation chamber.
 22. The cavitation system of claim 1, furthercomprising: a first temperature monitor thermally coupled to a firstportion of an exterior surface of said cavitation chamber, wherein saidfirst portion of said exterior surface is adjacent to said first region;and a second temperature monitor thermally coupled to a second portionof said exterior surface of said cavitation chamber, wherein said secondportion of said exterior surface is adjacent to a second region of saidcavitation chamber containing said cavitation fluid during operation ofsaid cavitation system and located below said cavitation fluid freesurface.
 23. A method of creating a temperature difference within acavitation chamber, the method comprising the steps of: partiallyfilling the cavitation chamber with a cavitation fluid, wherein saidpartial filling step creates a cavitation fluid free surface within thecavitation chamber; degassing said cavitation fluid within saidcavitation chamber; heating a first region of said cavitation chamber toa first temperature, wherein said first region is located above saidcavitation fluid free surface, and wherein said first temperature isgreater than a second temperature corresponding to the temperature ofsaid cavitation fluid contained within said cavitation chamber; andcavitating said cavitation fluid within said cavitation chamber.
 24. Thecavitation system of claim 23, wherein the temperature differencecreated by said heating step is at least 10° C. between said firstregion and said second region.
 25. The cavitation system of claim 23,further comprising the step of cooling said second region.
 26. Thecavitation system of claim 25, wherein the temperature differencecreated by said heating and cooling steps is at least 10° C. betweensaid first region and said second region.